Young children's experiences of support when fearful during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia-A longitudinal interview study.
Ingela Leibring, Agneta Anderzén-Carlsson
PMID 34651461WHAT IT FOUND
Children with leukaemia found parents' closeness, being included in care, and honest, playful, careful staff helpful when scared.
Support changed over treatment, so ask each child what helps before procedures.
Key findings
01All 13 children said parents' physical and emotional closeness helped their fears, with physical contact most common early and parental presence still valued later.
02Children felt supported when healthcare professionals let them participate by informing them, showing equipment, offering choices, asking permission, and telling the truth.
03Healthcare professionals' medication for pain and fear, rewards, play, distraction, kindness, continuity and encouragement were reported as supportive, including during physiotherapy and training when understandable.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 13 children were studied, so the themes are experiences, not generalizable effects. The study could not tell whether changing support preferences were due to the child growing older, treatment changing, or experience of illness. Children found it hard to describe support they saw as normal, such as closeness and kindness. It describes what children said helped, not whether any support actually reduced fear or improved outcomes. All children were treated under the Nordic NOPHO 2008 protocol in Sweden, so other settings may differ.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat these supports as proven to reduce fear. The study describes what 13 children said helped them, not a measured effect of any technique.